You look at the picture and just cant turn away. Doesnt matter if youre Democrat or Republican; if youre a woman, its simply amazing.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is staring down President Trump in the White House, their first meeting since she launched impeachment proceedings against him. The most powerful woman in the United States dressing down the most powerful man in the United States. Pelosi pointing a finger at Trump, who is seated across from her at a shiny conference table surrounded by men, the president flashing a fraternity boy smirk.
HOLY COW.
Can we have some more of that?
For women who have marveled at how men still horde power for each other even a century after women got the right to vote, that image Trump tweeted, along with other extraordinary visuals this week involving women and power in this country, were a sight to behold. Downright awesome.
She seemed to be the only woman at the table, said Dana Brown, a Pittsburgh political scientist whom I called Thursday because she is executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics there. I was excited about it. I was inspired by it.
And it wasnt all.
On Tuesday, four women (I wish I could put that in boldface and tack on a few fireworks emojis) stood on a single presidential debate stage alongside eight men seeking the Democratic nomination, each pushing for the chance to run against Trump next year.
In three hours on live TV, we saw Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren sparring with former Vice President Joe Biden; California Sen. Kamala Harris trying to lure Warren, a front-runner, into rhetorical traps; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar touting her Midwestern get-it-done credentials and legislative accomplishments; and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii also working to be heard.
But the Pelosi picture on Wednesday?
It was the most delicious of them all.
Lets call it Trumps twitter post version of a WWE wrestling promo shot (Trump is a fan): a snapshot by a White House photographer of the president facing off with the battle-hardened politico who is second in line to the presidency and who happens to be a woman.
Trump sought to portray this veteran of Washington politics as hang on, are you ready for this? emotional.
Nervous Nancy, he called her.
I know. Super boring. Especially from a man so manic that he could give that unforgettable 1980s soap opera character Alexis Carrington Colby a run for drama queen crown.
But that tactic and junk-food verbiage has worked well in this country for years as women have increasingly sought economic self-sufficiency and a place at the table. Its the add-water insult aimed at dispensing of women whose smarts and ambition are perceived as threatening.
